Chevron Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches / Stitch Dictionary

Chevron stitch is a decorative stitch used in surface embroidery and smocking. Some people consider it a basic stitch that you can use in numerous ways in hand-embroidered projects. The sample above is on a piece of crazy quilting and consists of a row of Chevron stitch, worked on either side of a ribbon. You can read more about it on Crazy Quilt block 73.

In this sample, I worked a single row of Chevron in cotton perle # 5. I then stitched dome-shaped sequins in between the feet of the stitch.

How to work Chevron stitch

Work from left to right on two imaginary lines.

Bring the thread from the back of the fabric on the left of the top line. On the same line, move right and insert the needle with the tip pointing left to have it emerge in the middle as illustrated. Pull the needle through to make a small stitch.

Take the needle diagonally down to the bottom line and insert it. Point the needle left to take it back along the line as illustrated. Pull your needle through and take your needle to the right.

Keep your needle pointing left to make the foot of the stitch by inserting your needle as illustrated. Have it emerge at the base of the diagonal stitch.

Take your needle to the top line and repeat the process again.

Work this way along the row, alternating up and down.

Some ideas on how to use Chevron stitch

With Chevron stitch, you can change the spacing of the feet as well as the height/width of the stitch to create some interesting effects. Chevron stitch becomes very interesting when you add other stitches to the hills and valleys. An example is this band of hand-embroidery, where I tucked three detached chain stitches into the peaks of the stitch.

Working two rows of Chevron stitch creates a grid-like pattern where you can add all sorts of embroidered and beaded elements. This seam detail is from Block 76 in the I Dropped the Button Box quilt.

Two rows give you enough room down the centre line to add quite large items such as novelty beads.

You can also build up row-upon-row of chevron stitch, working each row back to back to create an interesting pattern.

You can vary the pattern by working rows back-to-back and tying the foot plate of each row with a single straight stitch. In this sample, I also worked single straight stitches in the space of the chevron pattern, tied with a cross stitch

Chevron stitch can also be stacked to create an interesting filling, too!

Chevron stitch worked in cotton perle #5 thread on Block 98 of the I Dropped the Button Box Quilt

Adapting stitches Chevron with an added cross stitch

If you enjoy Chevron stitch you may enjoy this mini lesson on adapting stitches. I used the sample above to illustrate a point.

My book on Crazy Quilting

My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results shares detailed practical methods about how to design and make a crazy quilt.

From fabric choice, to balancing colour, texture, and pattern, in order to direct the eye around the block. I cover how to stitch, build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways. This book is profusely illustrated as my aim is to be practical and inspiring.